Q: Why is a person with high or low blood pressure refrained from donating blood?

A:There is no absolute restriction on individuals suffering from hypertension or hypotension from donating blood. Even with an elevated BP, blood can be donated if the pressure is less than 180/100 mm of Hg at the time of donation. Individuals having a chronically low BP run the risk of not being able to adjust to the loss of blood volume following donation and may feel giddy and unwell following it.